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Pistons vs 76ers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Detroit Pistons have rolled without Cade Cunningham, and they’ll look to keep that momentum and complete the season sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers when they head to Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight.

Jalen Duren has feasted without Cunningham in the lineup; my Pistons vs. 76ers predictions call for another big game from the big man.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday, April 4.

Pistons vs 76ers prediction

Pistons vs 76ers best bet: Jalen Duren Over 34.5 points+rebounds (-120)

Jalen Duren earned his first All-Star appearance in 2025-26 behind averages of 19.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Across his last 15 games, he’s averaging 34 points+rebounds, and across his last 11, those averages climb to 36.

The big man has hit for at 35+ points+rebounds in seven of his last 11, and he’s averaged 34.3 across his last four road games. In two games against the Philadelphia 76ers, Duren finished with 24 points and rebounds in 15 minutes in a blowout and 37 points and rebounds in 37 minutes. 

He’ll be forced to handle more scoring and rebounding responsibilities tonight without Detroit Pistons superstar guard Cade Cunningham still on the shelf.

Cunningham’s absence bodes well for Duren’s statistical output. In 55 games played with Cunningham this season, Duren has averaged 29.2 points+rebounds in 27.7 minutes. 

In 11 games without him, Duren averaged 35.1 points+rebounds and 31.1 minutes. Duren has posted at least 35 points+rebounds in seven of 11 games played without Cunningham.

Philadelphia’s defense hasn’t been impressive this season. The Sixers have given up the 12th-most points, 11th-most rebounds, fourth-most offensive rebounds, and sixth-most second-chance points. Philly’s 114.8 defensive rating ranks 17th.

With Joel Embiid still banged up, Duren could feast against Andre Drummond and Adem Bona down low. I’ll bank on another big game from Detroit’s go-to option tonight.

Pistons vs 76ers same-game parlay

Duren is poised for a monster game, but the 76ers can keep this one close at home if Tyrese Maxey goes off. Detroit is just 12-16 ATS as the road favorite, and Philly is 6-7 as the home dog.

I like Detroit to win this one outright, but I’m not betting the spread with uncertainty surrounding the statuses of Paul George and Joel Embiid.

Season-long trends lean the Under tonight, but both offenses have played well as of late. Detroit has combined for 227+ points in three of its last six games, and Philadelphia has reached that total in four of its last five.

Even without Cunningham and potentially without Embiid, there is enough firepower for both teams to put up points.

Pistons vs 76ers SGP

  • Jalen Duren Over 34.5 points+rebounds
  • Pistons moneyline
  • Over 226.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Guard-Play!

Tyrese Maxey has averaged 24.5 points and 8.5 assists in four games since returning from a lengthy absence. In that span, he hasn’t reached 29 points due to Paul George’s monster impact as a scorer.

With George potentially out tonight on the second leg of a back-to-back, Maxey could see far more work on offense. He’s also dished 7+ assists in four straight.

Daniss Jenkins has started nine straight games, averaging 19.3 points and seven dimes. In that span, he’s gone for 18+ points six times and 7+ assists five times. Expect another high-usage, highly-productive outing tonight with Cade Cunningham still sidelined.

Pistons vs 76ers SGP

  • Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points
  • Tyrese Maxey Over 28.5 points
  • Daniss Jenkins Over 6.5 assists
  • Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists

Pistons vs 76ers odds

  • Spread: Pistons -3.5 (-105) | 76ers +3.5 (-115)
  • Moneyline: Pistons -160 | 76ers +135
  • Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5

Pistons vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Detroit Pistons have hit the Moneyline in 27 of their last 40 away games (+10.35 Units / 9% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. 76ers.

How to watch Pistons vs 76ers

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateSaturday, April 4, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVDetroit SportsNet, NBC Sports Philadelphia

Pistons vs 76ers latest injuries

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Watch Cooper Flagg become first teenager in NBA history to drop 50+ in a game

LeBron James didn't do it. Neither did Michael Jordan. Or Victor Wembanyama. Not Magic Johnson or Wilt Chamberlain.

No NBA teenager had ever scored 50 points in a game until Cooper Flagg did just that on Friday night.
Flagg's rookie season has lived up to the hype. He is averaging 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for the Mavericks this season, and he has been a plus defender.

Flagg is not going to win Rookie of the Year, but he is ultimately going to be the best player out of this draft class and can be the anchor of some very good Mavericks teams in the future if they do a good job building around him. What he showed he can do Friday night is just the tip of the iceberg. Flagg is special and is starting to really show it.

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Minor league update for 4/3/26

BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 16: A video shows a blue whale swimming by as visitors look at an immersive presentation of Antarctica and the scientific expeditions of the Alfred Wegener Institute at the "Polar Experience" exhibition at the Arena venue on December 16, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The Alfred Wegener Institute is Germany's premier scientific institution devoted to arctic and marine studies. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hey hey, its our first day of having four Texas Rangers minor league games!

Hickory starter Jesus Lafalaise went four shutout innings, striking out two. Aneudis Mejia allowed four runs, including two home runs, while returning just one batter.

Deward Tovar had a hit.

Hickory box score

Dalton Pence started for Hub City, allowing two runs in 4.2 IP, walking one and striking out seven. J’Briell Easley allowed two runs in an inning walking one and striking out one.

Maxton Martin had the lone hit for Hub City, and also stole a base.

Hub City box score

Frisco starter Dylan MacLean struck out six and walked two in five innings, allowing one run. Bryan Magdaleno and Josh Trentadue each struck out a hitter apiece in their respective scoreless innings of work.

Dylan Dreiling was 2 for 4 with a homer. Ian Moller had a hit. Keith Jones II had a hit.

Frisco box score

For Round Rock, Josh Stephan started, allowing a pair of homers, including one to Rowdy Tellez (who had two bombs in the game), and four runs in four innings, striking out three and walking one. Patrick Murphy allowed a solo homer and struck out one in 1.1 IP. Gavin Collyer struck out two in 1.1 innings. Alex Diaz struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning, throwing 10 strikes and 9 balls.

Cam Cauley doubled. Justin Foscue and Aaron Zavala each had a hit.

Round Rock box score

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Red Wings Recall Sandin-Pellikka Under Emergency Conditions

Saturday morning brought a notable roster move for Detroit, as the Red Wings recalled young defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka from the Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Sandin-Pellikka, the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, began the season in Detroit and made his NHL debut early in the year. The 21-year-old appeared in 63 games with the Red Wings, registering six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. However, his campaign was not without challenges, as he posted a minus-21 rating while adjusting to the demands of the NHL level.

His role began to diminish following Detroit’s acquisition of veteran defenseman Justin Faulk. With increased competition on the blue line, Sandin-Pellikka saw his ice time reduced and was eventually overtaken in the lineup by Jacob Bernard-Docker. After being scratched for several games, the organization opted to send the Swedish defenseman to the American Hockey League to regain form and playing rhythm.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Since joining Grand Rapids, Sandin-Pellikka has made an immediate impact as the Gallivare native recorded three points in his first four games and scored his first AHL goal in his season debut on March 24 against the Milwaukee Admirals. His brief stint has been seen as an opportunity to log meaningful minutes and continue his development.

This is not his first experience with the Griffins as last spring, Sandin-Pellikka appeared in two regular-season games with the club, tallying one assist, and added three appearances during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Despite the ups and downs of his rookie NHL season, the Red Wings remain optimistic about Sandin-Pellikka’s future. At just 21 years old, he is still viewed as a key piece of the organization’s long-term plans. For now, consistent playing time, whether in Detroit or Grand Rapids, will be central to his continued growth as a professional.

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Kings’ Record-Setting Overtime Losses Are A Growing Concern

The Los Angeles Kings are fighting for their playoff lives in every game from here on out, with seven games remaining in the regular season, and with all eyes surrounding how they will finish the season, they just broke two NHL records. 

After playing yet another overtime game Thursday night against the Nashville Predators, Los Angeles tied an NHL record for most overtime games played with 30, and their loss recorded the most overtime losses in NHL history with 19. 

For a team that chose to fight for a playoff spot, rather than rebuild for draft capital and build for the future, it has no excuse for remaining in the middle of the pack year after year. 

The path is right there for Los Angeles to make the playoffs, especially in one of the weakest divisions that we've ever seen in NHL history.  Only one team in the division is above .500, and if you put all those teams in the Eastern Conference, they wouldn't even be close to the playoff picture. 

Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, and, obviously, the Kings would currently be at the bottom of the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions. 

A Record That Raises Questions

In reality, forcing overtime can be a good thing for the most part because it shows the team never quits and shows resilience. It means a team is battling back, staying competitive, and earning at least a point in tight contests. 

But when those games constantly end in losses, the narrative shifts. The 19 overtime defeats aren't just bad luck; it's a pattern that continues to plague their season. 

Thirty overtime games represent a massive sample size, and losing nearly two-thirds of those points to deeper issues. At this point of the season, it's been very clear that the Kings can't execute in the clutch, especially in the game's most critical moments.  

A Mental Hurdle?

Beyond all the numbers and performances in the extra periods, there's also the psychological factor. 

Losing in overtime maybe 10 times or a little more is a part of the game, but losing 19 times? That starts to linger and can affect a player's decision-making, leading them to try to make the perfect play instead of the right one. 

Confidence in those moments becomes fragile, and it's been tested repeatedly for the Kings. We just saw last night's game against the Predators go eight rounds of a shootout because the Kings couldn't score on the 1-on-1, shooting the puck either off the crossbar or too high over the net. 

The inability to close out games affects the identity of who the Kings are and defines Los Angeles now as a team that struggles in high-leverage situations. 

Costly Points in a Tight Race

Yes, the Kings earned a point by reaching overtime, but the extra point they could've earned with simply a win in each of those 19 games adds up quickly. Take yesterday again for a fact: Los Angeles stormed back and tied the game, and if they had won, it would have left them just three points behind the Golden Knights for the third seed in the division. 

Now, instead of inching closer, they're five points back and are in a three-way tie with the Predators and Sharks for the final playoff spot, instead of a two-point lead if they won. 

Flip even a handful of those losses into wins, and the outlook of the season changes dramatically.

Moving Forward

There is a silver lining in all of this. The Kings are constantly putting themselves in positions to win against any team in the league. That's not something every team can say. But until they prove they can finish, that strength will continue to feel like a weakness.

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The Moment: vs. the Nationals

Apr 1, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Edmundo Sosa (33) reacts after hitting a two RBI single during the ninth inning Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The unit of the universe is the atom. The unit of a baseball game, however, is the moment. A season is comprised of series, which are comprised of games, which are comprised of innings, which are comprised of plate appearances, which are comprised of pitches and the subsequent swing decisions, and all that results. You’ve heard the relevant sayings about forests and trees. Nearly every moment of a season will be subsumed by the greater sweeps of a full campaign; even the most meaningful moments, upon which entire narratives may swing, only exist because of the gradual piling-up of moments prior. Still, by looking at particular moments in a season, we can find some interesting stories.

By Win Probability Added, the most significant moment of the series against the Nationals was Edmundo Sosa’s ninth inning, 2-RBI, game-tying single. Just after the previous at-bat (Alec Bohm working a free pass to put runners on second and third with two away), the Philadelphia win probability was 18%. After Sosa’s scoring slash, it was 63.4%, a difference of 45.4%.

Any starting point for this story would be somewhat arbitrary (unless we start with the first inning, but that’s a bit of a broader scope than we need). For our purposes, though, we’ll start with the bottom of the seventh, before Sosa was a factor at all. With two away, and a lead that had shrunk to three thanks to a J.T. Realmuto solo shot, the Nationals had Kyle Schwarber to deal with. He represented neither the winning nor the tying run, and the visitors were only one out away from ending the inning. Still, the Washingtons were not keen on surrendering more of their momentum to another homer. Andre Granillo, a righty, was on the mound. Cionel Pérez, a lefty, was called in to provide the platoon advantage against Schwarber. He kept the ball low in the zone against Schwarber, and induced a flyout on a curveball to end the inning.

With two of the three batters due up next for the home team being of the left-handed sort, the Nationals kept Pérez in. But the platoon advantage didn’t stop Bryce Harper from homering to narrow the lead to two. The Nationals kept Pérez in, and he quickly accrued a baserunner, in the form of Alec Bohm, through his shortstop’s fielding error. That would bring Bryson Stott to the plate. The move for Rob Thomson was obvious: get the platoon advantage by subbing in Sosa for Stott.

It didn’t pay off, at the time. Sosa grounded out.

But in the next inning, Sosa came to the plate again. The Nationals had LHP PJ Poulin on the mound, and so they made an obvious choice of their own in bringing in righty Cole Henry to thwart the very platoon advantage that had put Sosa in the game in the first place.

Henry has a four seamer, a sweeper, a sinker, a cutter, and a changeup. The changeup was always a sparingly seen offering from him, and he seems to be making the cutter sparse as well, given that it hasn’t shown up at all through 44 pitches this season. That left him with a trio of offerings with which to attack Sosa.

He started with a pair of fastballs high, getting strikes on both (via foul and whiff, in that order). In full command of the situation with an 0-2 count, Henry moved to finish off Sosa with a same-handed sweeper. Textbook stuff, but there’s a reason why it’s textbook.

The problem was that he left it too high, and put it squarely where Sosa could do damage. You know the rest.

It was all as simple as a badly placed pitch. But that badly placed pitch was built on a series of other decisions, some good, some bad, some neither until Sosa’s swing issued the final verdict.

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Orioles fans are worried about the offense after early action

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on while batting in the first inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Seven games into the 2026 season, the Orioles sit below .500 at 3-4. It is not what anyone in Birdland was hoping to see. The O’s needed to blast out of the gate to chase away any lingering worries about the things that plagued the team last year, and instead they’ve managed to start up the season feeling like they’ve picked up a lot of last year’s baggage and carried it into this year with them.

In our survey this week, I polled Orioles fans asking what is the biggest concern area with the team right now out of the following areas: Starting pitching, relief pitching, bullpen, and defense. Here’s how the results came back:

I have to say that I’m surprised that defense is down at the bottom, tied for last with starting pitching at 13%. I’m as confident as I can be about anything with the Orioles that the group of hitters who are here are going to be able to figure it out and at least be decent. The defense, on the other hand, is already trending in a bad direction and there’s no sign of improvement on the horizon as long as the personnel remain largely the same.

Those worried about the offense certainly got some validation with Friday’s loss to the Pirates, what with the Orioles going 1-9 with runners in scoring position. That’s one that feels like it’s carrying over from last year. If I started the survey now, maybe more people would be worried about the starting pitching. This survey was posted before Zach Eflin’s injury and before Kyle Bradish turned in a clunker. There’s a lot more chaos potential for the pitching with Eflin’s likely season-ending injury and with Bradish’s performance more of a question.

If you’re feeling like the actual answer is, “Everything,” I get it. The only reason I didn’t list that as an answer is that I knew it would be a runaway winner.

This week’s survey is sponsored by FanDuel.

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Mets vs Giants Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's MLB Game

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The New York Mets face the San Francisco Giants in Oracle Park tonight at 9:05 p.m. ET for the third of a four-game series. 

New York broke out of a three-game losing skid with a resounding 10-3 victory yesterday, and my Mets vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, April 4, see the visitor as the victor once again.

Who will win Mets vs Giants today: Mets (-118)

This line is giving the benefit of the doubt to the San Francisco Giants because Landen Roupp had a phenomenal season debut, and they’re playing at home. 

The New York Mets are simply the better team — sitting Top 15 in both runs scored and allowed — while San Francisco is 1-4 at home. I’m buying the reduced price on the visitor. 

Roupp struggles with command, walking 4.03 batters per nine innings. Mets starter Clay Holmes has his flaws, but the Giants' league-worst wOBA (.241) against RHP leaves them ill-poised to capitalize. 

Covers COVERS INTEL: Holmes altered his pitch mix in his first start, ditching his poor slider (.374 xwOBA) and adding a curveball. All of his offerings, other than his sinker, graded out at 100 or above in Stuff+ in his debut.

Mets vs Giants Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-106)

San Francisco has been the worst team in the league against RHP (55 wRC+). Holmes transitioned to the rotation in 2025 and made 31 starts, posting a solid 3.53 ERA thanks to a 75th-percentile barrel rate and 94th percentile ground-ball rate. 

As for the Mets, star slugger Juan Soto departed Friday’s contest in the first inning with a right calf injury. It’d be surprising if he suits up Saturday, likely leaving them without their best hitter in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

New York has cashed the Under in five of its last seven games; here’s predicting another.

JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 1-0, +1.0 units
  • Over/Under bets: 1-1, -0.04 units

Mets vs Giants odds

  • Moneyline: New York -106 | San Francisco -114
  • Run line: New York -1.5 (+155) | San Francisco +1.5 (-180)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-114) | Under 7.5 (-106)

Mets vs Giants trend

San Francisco is 1-4 with a -14 run differential at home. Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Giants.

How to watch Mets vs Giants and game info

LocationOracle Park, San Francisco, CA
DateSaturday, April 4, 2026
First pitch9:05 p.m. ET
TVSNY, NBC Sports Bay Area
Mets starting pitcherClay Holmes
(1-0, 3.18 ERA)
Giants starting pitcherLanden Roupp
(1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Mets vs Giants latest injuries

Mets vs Giants weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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NBA Playoff scenarios for Saturday, April 4: Detroit can lock up the No. 1 seed in East with win

Only three games on the schedule today as the NBA backs off to give the NCAA Final Four the spotlight. Still, among those three games, there are a couple of consequential ones. Here's what you need to know.

Playoff Scenarios

Detroit can clinch the No. 1 seed in the East with a win at Philadelphia. The Pistons' magic number is one — either a Pistons win or a Celtics loss — so this is happening, the only question is whether it's today or if Detroit has to wait a little. The Pistons are an impressive 8-2 without Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung) and have the rest advantage in this game as the 76ers spent a lot of energy beating Minnesota on Friday night.

Games to Watch

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

This is a game that is both important for West seeding, and it is a potential second-round preview (with Luka Doncic out for the remainder of the regular season, it's very possible the Nuggets make up the one game they are behind the Lakers and take over the No. 3 seed for the playoffs). San Antonio has been the hottest team in the NBA, going 21-2 with a +14.5 net rating since the All-Star break, but they haven't made up ground on Oklahoma City, which holds the No. 1 seed and is 19-2 in that same stretch. Spurs players are pretty open about wanting the No. 1 seed (and they have the tiebreaker with the Thunder), but they need all the wins they can get to have a chance, because OKC is not coming back to the pack.

Denver has the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, and if it is going to catch Los Angeles for the No. 3 seed in the West it needs some tough wins — and not to lose ground. This game matters to them.

Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET, League Pass)

As noted above, the Pistons can clinch the No. 1 seed in the East with a win. Philadelphia needs all the wins it can get to stay out of the play-in. The 76ers are tied with the Raptors for the 6/7 seeds in the East. Philadelphia also is 1.5 games back of Atlanta for the No. 5 seed but just 1.5 games ahead of Charlotte — in a tight East, Philly needs all the wins it can get.

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Dan Hurley called his shot: Tarris Reed Jr. would be X-factor for UConn Final Four run

Dan Hurley knew it all along.

To get back to the Final Four for the third time in four years, Connecticut basketball would need Tarris Reed Jr. to dominate at center, a vital position that helped secure the Huskies' back-to-back titles just two years ago.

"Tarris is the difference between us getting to the Final Four," Hurley said in early March after the Huskies’ Big East tournament quarterfinal win over Xavier.

REQUIRED READING: Braylon Mullins is more than a big shot. He's been UConn's missing piece

Illinois vs UConn predictions: Who will win in Final Four, play for national championship?

That wasn't the first — likely not the last — time Hurley made that statement this season. But it's a shot that keeps cashing in wins for the Huskies, as Reed has come out and put together a historic run through the Men's NCAA Tournament to get the Big East powerhouse to Indianapolis for Saturday's Final Four matchup vs. No. 3 Illinois.

It wasn't a matter of if Reed can get on a run as he has. It was a matter of just when.

The "when" picked up in the final weeks of the regular season, when he put up three straight double-doubles against St. John's, Seton Hall and Marquette. But it was a loss to Marquette on the final day of the regular season, which knocked UConn out of contention for a 1-seed, that flipped the switch for Reed.

"(It was like) one of the things, like, 'OK, we're at the end of the season. I've been playing OK, but there's still another level I could get to,'" Reed told USA TODAY Sports in Indianapolis on Friday during a breakout session. 

Sure enough, that's exactly what Reed has done this postseason by muscling his way into the paint and being a stalwart presence around the rim for rebounds. He can even knock down a 3-pointer when needed.

Reed terrorized Furman's defense in the first round with his 6-11, 265-pound frame for 35 minutes when he finished with 31 points and 27 rebounds. No player had reached the 30-plus points and 25-plus rebounds mark in an NCAA tournament game since Houston's Elvin Hayes nearly 60 years ago. 

He did it again in the Elite Eight when he fueled UConn's historic comeback against Duke by taking over on the court, which featured possible No. 1 overall draft pick Cameron Boozer, in the second half. He scored 14 of his 26 points in the second half to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in the final 20 minutes.

Reed was named Most Outstanding Player of the East Region after becoming the first player in the history of the NCAA Tournament to average at least 20 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in a four-game regional. 

"He's that bear inside that any great team needs," NBC Sports' John Fanta told USA TODAY Sports back in February.

Reed's showing in the past month has also been a culmination of a season-wide observation of the Huskies big man, who started just one game last season: He is flat out more comfortable and confident in Hurley's system this year than he was last year when he transferred from Michigan. 

REQUIRED READING: How UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. terrorized Furman to avoid March Madness upset

"There were days where I felt like I had a great game, and I'm getting cursed out and ripped out in film. It's always the standard," Reed told USA TODAY Sports last month. "Coach Hurley sets that standard, and he raises it every week, every level, every game.

"The biggest thing is just always being a level up and always wanting to achieve more."

Reed's emergence this season has also helped bring the Huskies' defense back to being a top-10 unit in adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom. It has also helped open up their offense.

"He's grown a lot, just as a leader, as a person, (and) understanding what he is to the team. There were times in the regular season we were just on him every day about how important he is," UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. told USA TODAY Sports on Friday. 

"Now he can dominate and really understand how good of a player he is, and just to see his leadership grow, it's just a testament to his hard work and him believing in himself. 

Final Four X-factors: The four players key to national championship hopes

UConn will need Reed to be an X-factor once again on Saturday against an Illinois team that ranks No. 1 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency metric and has carried them to the Final Four. 

“When he plays at the level that he’s capable of playing at, we can beat any team in the country, and he’s as good as any center in the country,” Hurley said of Reed last weekend. 

If he can do that, the Huskies will be playing in Monday’s national championship game and going for a program's seventh title. 

"It's my senior year. This is it for me. So I'm trying to go out there, swing for the fences every play, every possession," Reed said Friday. "My days are numbered, maximum two games." 

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza contributed to this story

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tarris Reed Jr. proving to be X-factor for UConn in March Madness

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Wizards vs Heat Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's NBA Game

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It's been 25 days since Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in the Miami Heat's rout of the Washington Wizards.

Since then, things have not gone well for either team. Washington has gone 1-11, although they've covered six of the 12 games. Miami has gone 3-8 and 4-7 against the number. 

Miami has just the thing to snap out of its spiral—the Wizards. The Heat has played seven top-five seeded teams over the 11-game slide and just two opponents with losing records.

That's why my Wizards vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks call for the Heat to cover.

Wizards vs Heat prediction

Wizards vs Heat best bet: Heat -18 (-110)

The Miami Heat is giving up a big number on the point spread, but the Heat have been consistently dominant against bottom-dwelling teams. Miami has covered its last five games as double-digit favorites, winning by an average of 22 points. 

Miami has also covered two-thirds of the time when coming off a loss in the last game, going 24-12 and clearing the spread by an average of 2.2 points.

Miami has a spot in the play-in tournament and is looking to improve its seeding. The Washington Wizards are playing out the string. Look for the gap in motivation to help propel the Heat.

Miami will be without its scoring leader—Norman Powell—who is out until at least April 7 with illness. Washington, however, has been decimated by injury. The Wizards' starting lineup for the last game featured two rookies and another player who was starting just his 17th game in the NBA.

And three of the starters from that game—Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tristan Vukcevic—are questionable for Saturday's game. Alex Sarr, who missed the last game, is also questionable, as is Justin Champagnie. They join the five players already ruled out for the game on Washington's injury report.

While Washington has been covering lately, the Wizards are not performing well against top teams. Washington has failed to cover its last three as a double-digit underdog, losing by an average of 25.3 points. They've also failed to cover the last three when getting 15 or more, losing by 28.7.

Wizards vs Heat same-game parlay

There should be plenty of points in this one. Miami plays at the fastest pace in the league, and Washington is at No. 6. The totals cutoff is high, but Miami has had plenty of cutoffs in the 240s.

The Heat has gone Over five of its last seven and in eight of the last 10 overall. Washington has been Over in seven of the last 10.

All eyes will be on Bam Adebayo to see if he can hang another 83 on the hapless Wizards. Tyler Herro has the higher scoring average by more than a point per game, however, and he's topped 30 in two of the last three.

Wizards vs Heat SGP

  • Heat -18
  • Over 246 points
  • Tyler Herro Over 24.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Heat Check!


The odds on Jaime Jaquez hitting multiple threes seem out of whack. He's taken five or more attempts in the last five games and made at least two in the last six. It's a no-brainer to take him in an up-tempo game at that price.

After the entire team got together to get Bam Adebayo enough shots to score 83 the last time they played Washington, look for Bam to do some work on the boards to pay them back this time around. He's hit double figures in rebounds in his last five.

Pelle Larsson will be getting Powell's minutes and had six assists last game, taking his spot in the starting lineup. He also has a five-assist game in the last four outings.

Wizards vs Heat SGP

  • Tyler Herro Over 24.5 points
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 1.5 made threes
  • Bam Adebayo Over 11.5 rebounds
  • Pelle Larsson Over 3.5 assists

Wizards vs Heat odds

  • Spread: Wizards +16 | Heat -16
  • Moneyline: Wizards +1041 | Heat -2000
  • Over/Under: Over 244 | Under 244

Wizards vs Heat betting trend to know

The Washington Wizards have hit the Game Total Over in 21 of their last 30 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Heat.

How to watch Wizards vs Heat

LocationKaseya Center, Miami, FL
DateSaturday, April 4, 2026
Tip-off3:00 p.m. ET
TVMonumental SN, FDSN Sun

Wizards vs Heat latest injuries

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Who's in 2026 NHL playoffs? Latest standings, bracket and tiebreakers

The Buffalo Sabres will try again to clinch a playoff spot and end their 14-season postseason drought.

The Sabres lost on Thursday in their first attempt, but if they beat the Washington Capitals on Saturday, April 4, they will end the NHL's longest drought. They would also clinch before the game starts if the Red Wings lose their afternoon game in regulation.

In addition to making the playoffs, the Sabres could reclaim the Atlantic Division lead if they gain one more point than the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning can also clinch a playoff berth on Saturday and the Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Metropolitan Division title.

Saturday's 15-game schedule is full of playoff implications.

  • Ottawa, which holds the second wild-card spot in the East on a tiebreaker, is in action, as are Detroit and Columbus. All three teams have 88 points. Columbus could jump to third in the Metropolitan Division if it wins and the Islanders lose.
  • San Jose, Nashville and Los Angeles, battling for the second wild-card spot in the West, are in action. All three are tied with 79 points. The Sharks hold the spot and host the Predators.
  • Edmonton and Anaheim, tied at 87 points in the Pacific Division race, are in action. The Oilers moved into the lead on a tiebreaker after the Ducks lost on Friday. Vegas, three points back, visits Edmonton.
  • Central Division-leading Colorado is facing No. 2 Dallas with a chance to build on its six-point lead.

Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?

Eastern Conference: Carolina

Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota

Who can clinch an NHL playoff berth today?

  • The Buffalo Sabres will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Capitals or if the Red Wings lose in regulation. They'd also clinch if they get one point and either of the following occurs: The Red Wings lose or the Senators lose in regulation.
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Bruins or the Red Wings lose in regulation. They'd also clinch if they get one point and either of the following occurs: The Red Wings lose or the Senators lose in regulation.
  • The Carolina Hurricanes will clinch the Metropolitan Division title if they defeat the Islanders in regulation and the Penguins fail to win in regulation. They'd also clinch if they win in overtime or a shootout and the Penguins lose. Another option: They gain one point and the Penguins lose in regulation.

NHL games today (Saturday, April 4)

  • Detroit at N.Y. Rangers, 12:30, ABC
  • Minnesota at Ottawa, 1
  • Colorado at Dallas, 3, ABC
  • Boston at Tampa Bay, 5
  • Florida at Pittsburgh, 5
  • Montreal at New Jersey, 7, NHL Network
  • Buffalo at Washington, 7
  • N.Y. Islanders at Carolina, 7
  • Winnipeg at Columbus, 7
  • Utah at Vancouver, 7
  • Toronto at Los Angeles, 7
  • Vegas at Edmonton, 10
  • Calgary at Anaheim, 10
  • Nashville at San Jose, 10
  • Chicago at Seattle, 10

NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26

After April 3 games. x-clinched playoff spot. z-eliminated

Metropolitan Division

  • x-Carolina Hurricanes (102)
  • Pittsburgh Penguins (92)
  • New York Islanders (89)

Atlantic Division

  • Tampa Bay Lightning (100)
  • Buffalo Sabres (100)
  • Montreal Canadiens (98)

Wild card

  • Boston Bruins (94)
  • Ottawa Senators (88)

Sitting out of playoff position: Detroit Red Wings (88), Columbus Blue Jackets (88), Philadelphia Flyers (88), Washington Capitals (85), New Jersey Devils (80), Florida Panthers (77), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (77), z-New York Rangers (71)

NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26

After April 3 games. x-clinched playoff spot. z-eliminated

Central Division

  • x-Colorado Avalanche (108)
  • x-Dallas Stars (102)
  • x-Minnesota Wild (96)

Pacific Division

  • Edmonton Oilers (87)
  • Anaheim Ducks (87)
  • Vegas Golden Knights (84)

Wild card

  • Utah Mammoth (84)
  • San Jose Sharks (79)

Sitting out of playoff position: Nashville Predators (79), Los Angeles Kings (79), St. Louis Blues (76), Winnipeg Jets (76), Seattle Kraken (75), Calgary Flames (70), z-Chicago Blackhawks (68), z-Vancouver Canucks (52)

NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket

Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 3:

  • Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)
  • Pittsburgh (M2) vs. N.Y. Islanders (M3)
  • Tampa Bay (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
  • Buffalo (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card

NHL Western Conference playoff bracket

Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 3.

  • Colorado (C1) vs. San Jose (WC2)
  • Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
  • Edmonton (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
  • Anaheim (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card

More: Vegas Golden Knights fire coach Bruce Cassidy, hire John Tortorella

NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?

If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:

  1. Regulation wins
  2. Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
  3. Total wins
  4. Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
  5. Goal differential
  6. Total goals

When does the NHL regular season end?

The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.

When do the NHL playoffs start?

The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket, updated standings, scenarios and tiebreakers

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Flyers Exciting Prospect Is Impressing Big Time

The Philadelphia Flyers picked up a massive 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Friday. Flyers prospect Alex Bump undoubtedly was one of the major reasons behind it. 

Bump put together a strong performance for the Flyers against the Islanders, as he scored the game-winning goal at the 15:01 mark of the first period and recorded an assist on Travis Sanheim's third-period goal. With this, Bump certainly helped the Flyers pick up two much-needed points against the Islanders.

With this clutch game for the Flyers, Bump now has four goals, four assists, and eight points in 13 games for Philadelphia so far this season. The 22-year-old forward is certainly showing that he can make an impact at the NHL level, and it should create more optimism about his future with the club because of it.

Bump is one of the Flyers' most exciting prospects, so it is certainly good to see him already producing solid offense at the NHL level. The Flyers will be hoping that he can continue to impress during this crucial final stretch of the season from here. 

In 36 games this season down in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Bump has 11 goals, 15 assists, and 26 points. 

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Astros Prospect Report: April 3rd

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros throws a bullpen session during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 17, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (6-1) won 5-0 (BOX SCORE)

Sugar Land jumped out to an early lead scoring 3 runs on a Biggio 2 run HR and Biggers RBI single. In the 5th, Biggio added another run on an RBI single. Arrighetti got the start and went 4.1 hitless innings while striking out 9. The bullpen was great as they kept the Jumbo Shrimp hitless through 8 innings. In the top of the 9th, Sugar Land picked up a run in the 9th on a Winkler RBI single. Leach allowed one hit in the 9th but tossed a scoreless frame to close it as Sugar Land won 5-0.

Note: Arrighetti has 13 K in 8.1 innings in Triple-A this season.

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (0-2) lost 10-2 (BOX SCORE)

The Hooks got on the board first getting a run on a Sullivan RBI single in the 3rd. McPherson got the start and was pitching well but allowed 3 runs in the 5th before being pulled. He was relieved by David who really struggled allowing 6 runs while retiring just two batters. The offense got one run back in the 6th scoring on an error. The rest of the pen was solid with scoreless outings but the offense struggled as the Hooks fell 10-2.

A+: Asheville Tourists (1-1) lost 8-5 (BOX SCORE) 

Asheville got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Cruz solo HR. Smith started for the Tourists but struggled a bit as he allowed 7 runs, 4 earned, over 4 innings of work. Asheville got 2 runs back in the 5th on a Hernandez RBI double and a run scoring on a wild pitch. They scored another run in the 6th on a wild pitch. Pena pitched in relief allowing 1 run over 3 innings. The Asheville offense got one run back in the 8th on a Batista RBI double but that was it as they fell 8-5.

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (0-1) lost 2-0 (BOX SCORE)

Pentecost made his professional debut and pitched well striking out 7 over 4 innings. He was relieved by Perez who was equally as dominant striking out 8 over 4 scoreless innings. Rosario pitched the 9th but struggled as he walked 3 and allowed 2 runs. The Woodpeckers offense was quiet though collecting just 3 hits, including one by Neyens, as they were shutout in the 2-0 loss.

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Peter Lambert – 5:35 CT

CC: Brett Gillis – 7:05 CT

AV: Dylan Howard – 5:45 CT

FV: TBD – 6:05 CT

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Juan Soto injury update: Mets' $765 million star needs MRI after scare

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto was removed from the first inning of Friday night's game against the San Francisco Giants after experiencing calf tightness, and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday.

"There's obviously concern. Every time you send a player for an MRI and those areas, the calf area, could be tricky," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "We just got to wait, but obviously concerned."

Soto appeared to grimace as he was running from first to third and Mendoza said Soto's calf continued to get tight when he was standing on third base. New York's coaching staff noticed something was off when Soto attempted to run home on a ground ball to the pitcher.

Soto was replaced by Tyrone Taylor in left field.

Soto, in his second season with the Mets after signing a 15-year, $765 million contract – the largest in pro sports history – played in 160 games in 2025. He finished third in NL MVP voting, hitting a career-high 43 home runs with 105 RBIs and an NL-best 38 stolen bases, but the Mets failed to reach the playoffs.

Soto played right field last season but shifted to left for 2026 with top prospect Carson Benge stepping into an everyday role in right to start the campaign. If Soto were to miss time, the Mets would likely lean on Taylor heavily in a corner outfield spot, perhaps utilizing Brett Baty in the outfield as well, despite his inexperience.

"You never want to lose a guy like that. I don't know how bad it is yet, but I know he works extremely hard and is going to get himself back as soon as possible," second baseman Marcus Semien said.

"The good thing is we have a deep group. The guys on the bench should be starting on this team and somebody else to going to get a chance. We just try and hold it down while he's out."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Juan Soto injury update and news: Mets' star status heading for MRI